The Dock Of The Bay bass tabs

Introduction

If you’re a fan of Otis Redding, you’ve probably heard his famous hit “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay”. The song is known for its catchy lyrics and soothing melody. But have you ever wondered how to play the bass line yourself?

Fret not, we have you covered! In this article, we’ll be teaching you how to play The Dock Of The Bay bass tabs step-by-step. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced musician, you’ll be able to nail this classic tune in no time.

Getting Started

First things first, grab your bass and find a comfortable place to sit or stand. We’ll be starting with the basic bass line of the song. Don’t worry about the variations and fills for now.

The bass line consists of two parts: the main riff and the turnaround. Let’s start with the main riff:

G|------------------------|
D|--2--2--0--2--0----------|
A|------------------3--3--|
E|------------------------|

The notes on the tab represent the frets on your bass. The letters correspond to the strings, with the lowest string being the thickest one (E) and the highest string the thinnest one (G).

The number on the tab represents the fret you need to hold down. A “0” means an open string (no frets held down).

Practise playing this riff slowly until you get comfortable with the finger placement. Then try to speed it up gradually.

Once you have the main riff down, move on to the turnaround:

G|----------------------|
D|-----------0--2--3----|
A|--2--2--3-------------|
E|----------------------|

This part is a bit more complex, but with practice, you’ll be able to play it effortlessly. Take it slow at first and focus on getting the timing right.

Once you have both parts down, try playing the whole song through. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to play along with the rest of the band.

Advanced Techniques

If you’re feeling confident with the basic bass line, you can try adding some variations and fills to make it more interesting.

Here are some examples:

Var 1:

G|------------------------------------------|
D|--2--2--0--2--0---------------------------|
A|------------------3--3--2--3--2--0----0--|
E|------------------------------------------|

This variation adds a slide from the 2nd fret to the 3rd fret on the A string. It also includes a fill at the end of the main riff.

Var 2:

G|------------------------------------------|
D|--2--2--0--2--0---------------------------|
A|------------------3--3--2--2--0--0--3-----|
E|------------------------------------------|

This variation includes a slide from the 2nd fret to the 0th fret on the A string, and a hammer-on from the 0th fret to the 2nd fret on the G string.

You can create your own variations and fills using the notes in the main riff and turnaround. Experiment with different rhythms and timings to create your unique sound.

Conclusion

Playing The Dock Of The Bay bass tabs is a great way to improve your skills and add a classic tune to your repertoire. Remember to start with the basic bass line and gradually work your way up to the variations and fills.

With regular practice, you’ll be able to play the song effortlessly and impress your friends and family. Happy playing!